Best Queensland band of all time” - ABC Radio Brisbane Rain Lover was co-produced by Nashville art rock recording legend Mark Nevers. HALFWAY have previously recorded with renowned producers Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens), Peter Jesperson (The Replacements) andMark Nevers (Lampchop). With a long history in the local and national music scene, fans can look forward to an album packed with tracks that are broadly universal yet remain devastatingly personal; the album is a story of big dreams, conflict, addiction and disappointment with the narrative using central characters which are real people from Rockhampton in the 60’s, 70s, 80s.  Previous albums ‘Any Old Love’ (2014) and ‘The Golden Halfway Record’ (2016) both received 5 star reviews in national press, an AIR Award for Country album of the year (2015) and received a nomination for an APRA award and won three QMA awards including Song of the year in 2015 for the song Dulcify from the album ‘Any Old Love’. Halfway describe themselves: “The band is like a face, showing all the stuff that the years have piled on. One day you’re just a kid, screaming around in the summer dark, and then you do what you do, roads less travelled or waking up in the ditch, but keeping on.Then every now and then, in the midst of it all, you look in the mirror and it’s all there. These albums are like those mirror moments.

“Together, we are better. That simple understanding sits at the heart of the Hush project.”Developed by medical pioneer Dr Catherine Crock AM to reduce the stress and anxiety felt by young patients and their families in hospitals, the Hush music collection transforms that difficult environment with carefully curated music from some of Australia’s foremost musicians and talents, and is now played in hospitals and homes across the globe.ABC Classics is proud to announce the release of Volume 18 in the Hush series, Collective Wisdom, performed by the musicians of ACO Collective, the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s mentoring and regional touring ensemble.For this project, Hush sent twelve Australian composers to do residencies and workshops in adolescent health units in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth: established composers Stuart Greenbaum, Matthew Hindson, Maria Grenfell, Paul Stanhope, Elena Kats-Chernin and James Ledger fostering these rewarding experiences with six emerging composers, Caerwen Martin, Katia Beaugeais, Thomas Misson, Natalie Nicolas, Rachel Bruerville and Olivia Bettina Davies. The composers and the teenagers played music together, talked, shared experiences and explored how music might help people during hard times.Based on what they saw, heard and learnt during those collaborative sessions, the twelve composers then wrote the pieces that appear on this disc. The music is honest and heartfelt, acknowledging the fears and anxieties of the hospital experience yet full of hope, joy and optimism. As composers Caerwen Martin and Stuart Greenbaum point out, ‘Music can remind patients that they are more than their illness…and what they might be when they are better.’This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. The project has also been supported by the APRA AMCOS Art Music Fund. TRACKLISTING RACHEL BRUERVILLE Dancing on TiptoesSTUART GREENBAUM The Rotation of the EarthNATALIE NICOLAS We Won’t Let You DownMARIA GRENFELL Knitting UnicornsMATTHEW HINDSON Nothing Is ForeverTHOMAS MISSON Glow (Abridged)PAUL STANHOPE Dancing on CloudsKATIA BEAUGEAIS Like Snowdrops You Will ShineJAMES LEDGER DaydreamCAERWEN MARTIN Stars Come Out in a Midnight SkyELENA KATS-CHERNIN Moon Feather MagicOLIVIA BETTINA DAVIES Crystalline Performed byACO CollectiveLeader: Helena Rathbone  ACO Collective is the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s critically acclaimed regional touring and education ensemble. Directed by brilliant Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto, ACO Collective combines Australia’s most talented emerging string players with the professional musicians of the ACO to create a high-energy 17-piece string orchestra that tours music and education activities to regional locations all over Australia.

Tune out the noise of your busy day, and sleep more easily at night,with this collection of pink noise, created by the producers at ABC Classics & Jazz.The album features 15 tracks, each with a specially-constructed sonic texture. With sounds like rain on a tin roof, car wheels on a smooth road, the hum of an aeroplane cabin or wind whistling through the trees, this collection offers peace and relaxation in our busy modern world.

Tune out the noise of your busy day, and sleep more easily at night,with this collection of white noise, created by the producers at ABC Classics & Jazz.The album features 15 tracks, each with a specially-constructed sonic texture. With sounds like rain on a tin roof, car wheels on a smooth road, the hum of an aeroplane cabin or wind whistling through the trees, this collection offers peace and relaxation in our busy modern world.

ABC KIDS is the renowned home of trusted, quality entertainment for Australian preschoolers. Parents and children alike have grown up with this much loved, iconic Australian brand. ABC KIDS Listen is the ABC’s brand new dedicated kids digital radio station and app for preschoolers and their families. It provides a safe space to access trusted, educational and entertaining audio programs that feature music and stories from their favourite ABC KIDS characters. To celebrate the launch of the station, the ABC KIDS Listen compilation album collects the crème de la crème of the music featured on the station, including songs by beloved favouritessuch as The Wiggles, Justine Clarke, Sesame Street, Giggle and Hoot, Bananas in Pyjamas and more!

John Schumann first came to national recognition as the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary folk-rock band Redgum, who made their mark on the Australian conscience with the enduring Vietnam veterans’ anthem ‘I Was Only 19’. Never one to be short on an educated opinion, John Schumann has spent his life understanding, exploring and supporting Australia and its diverse culture, a passion shared through song on his new album with The Vagabond Crew titled ‘Ghosts & Memories’. With his distinctive voice and renowned lyricism, Schumann has compiled a different kind of album with ‘Ghosts & Memories’, exploring new topics and approaching the album in a way he hasn’t previously done. ‘Ghosts & Memories’ is a collection of 12 songs that delve into the life of John McDouall Stuart (’Skinny Little Kid’, ‘Won’t Look Down’, ‘Remember Me’), explores the complexities of being a ‘FIFO’ worker (‘FIFO Road’) and climate change (‘Nobody’s Fault’), visits our Anzac history (‘Anzac Biscuits’, ‘On Every Anzac Day’) and discusses the state of the world from the perspective of someone who genuinely cares (‘Times Like These’, ‘The Long Run Remix’) and has an interest in life on the land (‘Fade Away’, ‘Awesome Day’, ‘What Did You Do Today’).

Celebrating 20 years since his first album release in 1998. This collection songs includes hits, fan favourites and the new single. One of Country music’s leading male artists, Adam Brand is multi award winning artist including this year’s CMC Australian Artist of the Year winner.Track Listing:CD 1:MilestonesParty Down UnderKing Of The RoadLast Man StandingGrandpa’s PianoDirt Track CowboysGood FriendsGood Things In LifeI Did What?New England HighwayThe AnzacShe’s CountryGet LoudCigarettes & WhiskeyGet on Down The RoadComin’ From / Khe SanhBlame it on EveCD 2:Ready For LoveHell of a RideIt’s Gonna Be OKShe Got AwayI Was HereThere Will Be LoveFreedom RebelsHearts I Leave BehindMy Side Of The StreetGood Year for the OutlawIf Heaven Has a SoundtrackDrunkGet On Your FeetFor Ever And Ever AmenHold My HandHard TimesSheriff Bullfrog 

The rarely recorded ballet masterpiece comes to life under the baton of the great Barry Wordsworth.Swanilda and Franz are engaged to be married, but Franz can’t get his mind off the mysterious and beautiful girl Coppélia who sits on the balcony of the house of the suspicious Doctor Coppelius. Franz breaks into the house only to find all is not what it seems, and Swanilda must save the man she loves from the diabolical doctor.Léo Delibes’s Coppélia might not have the profile of Tchaikovsky’s great ballet scores, but it is every bit as important. It was Delibes who brought the symphony orchestra to the ballet, composing new, rich and memorable music for dance rather than the messy mash-up of popular tunes it had been until then.Rarely recorded in its entirety, Coppélia is a charming and beautiful ballet featuring irresistible and iconic melodies. This sparkling work comes to life in this recording by Orchestra Victoria under the baton of Barry Wordsworth, Principal Guest Conductor and former Music Director of the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, and one of the world’s most celebrated ballet conductors.This 2CD set contains the complete score of Coppélia, as well as alternate versions of the main numbers, designed to cater to dancers of different skill levels and physicality – perfect for ballet schools and anyone else who loves to dance along! TRACKLISTINGLÉO DELIBES (1836–1891)Coppélia(Complete ballet score) CD1: Acts One and TwoCD2: Act Three Plus alternate versions of five of the best-known movements, played at different speeds to accommodate the physicality and technique of individual dancers:Act Two: Scène and BoléroAct Three Divertissement: La Discorde et la Guerre, Danse de fête and Galop final Orchestra VictoriaBarry Wordsworth conductor Barry WordsworthBarry Wordsworth is Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, having been the company's Music Director from 1990 to 1995 and from 2007 to 2015. He is also Conductor Laureate of the BBC Concert Orchestra and Brighton Philharmonic, and Music Director Laureate of Birmingham Royal Ballet.He has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Sydney Symphony and New Zealand Symphony.For over 40 years Barry Wordsworth has enjoyed a close association with The Royal Ballet in London. He has toured extensively with the company including, most recently, performances at the Aldeburgh Festival with the Britten Sinfonia and in Taipei with the Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra. Orchestra Victoria Established in 1969, Orchestra Victoria is a specialised ballet and opera orchestra. As the proud performance partner of The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and Victorian Opera, it is one of Australia’s most versatile and respected orchestras. In addition to its busy schedule in the pit, the orchestra performs throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria and is very active in music education. Orchestra Victoria’s breadth of repertoire makes it unique among Australia’s professional orchestras.

Narrated by Luke Carroll | Music performed by Ensemble Offspring“The perfect adventure to start your mini musicians on a lifetime of classical music.” – ArtsplorersNarrated by Play School's Luke Carroll, Classic Kids introduces pre-schoolers to classical music through a musical tale of the Australian landscape.When Kirra Quokka finds a lost concert ticket, she sets off on a big musical adventure. With the help of her friends Carlos the Crow, Harper the Humpback Whale, Niipu the Numbat, Elena Emu and Padma Possum, Kirra travels the length of the country from her home on sleepy Rottnest Island all the way to the bright lights of the Sydney Opera House!In each of the six episodes of the story, the Australian environment, landscape and weather are evoked through music and storytelling. Children learn all about the clarinet, cello, flute, piccolo and percussion, and how different instruments work together to create magical soundscapes.Featuring new music by Australian composers Ross Edwards, Nigel Westlake, Iain Grandage, Martin Wesley-Smith and Jessica Wells, performed by Ensemble Offspring, Classic Kids: Sounds Like Australia is both an effective educational resource that encourages learning through play, and a delightful and engaging story the whole family will love.Classic Kids is an ABC KIDS listen and ABC Classic FM co-production. It was produced in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House Children, Families and Creative Learning program. TRACKLISTINGEPISODES1 Kirra Quokka finds a concert ticket 7’142 Harper the Humpback and Kirra float over the ocean 8’413 Niipu Numbat and Kirra ride a train across the desert 8’594 Elena Emu and Kirra Quokka climb up the Blue Mountains 5’295 Padma Possum and Kirra Quokka arrive in the city 6’136 Kirra's big musical concert surprise! 8’02 MUSIC7 ROSS EDWARDS Crow Dance 2’478 NIGEL WESTLAKE Ocean Sunfish 3’259 IAIN GRANDAGE Corrugation 3’3110-12 JESSICA WELLS Blue Mountain Suite 2’4013-14 MARTIN WESLEY-SMITH White Knight and Beaver – excerpts 2’2615 JESSICA WELLS Finale Medley 2’1716 Kirra Quokka Theme 0’1217 Carlos Crow Theme 0’0918 Harper Humpback Theme 0’1619 Niipu Numbat Theme 0’1220 Elena Emu Theme 0’1121 Padma Possum Theme 0’1322 Locomotive Theme 0’59 Luke Carroll narratorEnsemble OffspringClaire Edwardes Director, marimba, percussionVéronique Serret violin, electric violinFreya Schack-Arnott celloLamorna Nightingale flute, piccolo Jason Noble clarinet, bass clarinet

In 2018, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra are releasing a new song every single Friday for the entire year!Season 1 (Songs 1-13) is Ska Classics done MSO style.Season 2 (Songs 14-26) covers legendary Movies & TV Themes into Ska renditions.Melbourne Ska Orchestra have already proven the success via their own version of ‘Get Smart’ which has now exceeded 2.7 million hits on Youtube.The guys had a lot of fun making this album with all sorts of requests from band members and fans alike.The outcome was a worthy cross-section of tunes spanning over 70 years including Austin Powers, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, James Bond, Pink Panther and stack more gold!

“20 Dollars In My Pocket” takes the listener down a different path than previous releases, infusing broad-based pop sensibilities into the already genre-bending sound The Lovelocks fans have come to love. Friends first, The Lovelocks (Ali Raney and Zoe Sparrow) are woven together with a desire to create music that gives voice to both the bitter and sweet in life. With a deep passion for their craft and music, the duo share a strong desire to be leaders in the movement of bringing female voices back to the top of the Canadian country radio airwaves

Hit Country is one of Australia’s leading country compilation series. Released annually it features all the biggest names and rising stars with their hit singles. Hit Country includes artists from Australia and around the world – Lee Kernaghan, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Kane Brown, Luke Coombs, The MCClymonts and many more.Track Listing:CD 1:The Wolfe Brothers - Ain't Seen It YetDavisson Brothers Band - PO’ BoyzKip Moore - Last ShotThe McClymonts- Like We Use ToKacey Musgraves - ButterfliesOld Dominion - Written In The SandKane Brown - Found YouThe Shires - GuiltyWalker Hayes - You Broke Up With MeFanny Lumsden - Elastic WaistbandLindsay Ell - CriminalGord Bamford - Neon SmokeGranger Smith - Happens Like ThatCaitlyn Shadbolt - Me Without You (feat. Reece Mastin)O’Shea - I Will Not Give UpJayne Denham - CalamityTailgate Drive - Bury Me In Blue JeansAleyce Simmonds - Only On My TermsPaddy McHugh - Happy ManCD 2:Lee Kernaghan - Drive OnDrew McAlister - Australian HeartbeatLuke Combs - When It Rains It PoursBrothers Osborne - Shoot Me StraightChristie Lamb - LoadedDean Brody - Beautiful Freakshow (feat. Shevy Price)       Dustin Lynch - I'd Be Jealous TooMissy Lancaster - HeatwaveMelanie Dyer - DreamcatchersDylan Scott - HookedJody Direen - SpitfireDarius Rucker - If I Told YouJasmine Rae - Fly AwayScotty McCreery - Five More MinutesBobby Wills - Out Of Your MindBrad Butcher - Crawl Beg & CryImogen Clark - Your Anything At AllCatherine Britt & The Cold Cold Hearts - Red DirtTori Forsyth - In The MorningLachlan Bryan And The Wildes - Careless Hearts